China’s Commerce Minister expresses willingness to strengthen communication
The day after the U.S.-China summit was held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, the commerce ministers of the two countries also held a meeting. The Chinese side expressed its intention to strengthen communication at the meeting, while also expressing concerns about U.S. sanctions against China.
On the 17th, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced in a statement, “China’s Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Ramondo on this day (the 16th, local time).”
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce explained, “This is the first ministerial-level meeting held since the launch of the U.S.-China Commerce Department communication and exchange system,” adding, “The two sides carried out substantive, constructive, and effective communication regarding U.S.-China economic relations and common interests.”
Director Wang said, “The San Francisco meeting between the US and China leaders had strategic, historical and leadership significance, and presented a direction for US-China economic relations.”
He continued, “China will work with the United States to implement the joint recognition (agreement) of the summit, maintain mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, and utilize the communication channels between the two countries’ commerce ministries to strengthen dialogue (between the two countries) and control differences of opinion. “We are trying to create a good environment for trade and investment,” he emphasized.
Director Wang said, “The expansion and politicization of national security affects normal trade and investment flows,” and argued, “It is very important for both sides to discuss the boundaries of national security.”
At the meeting, Director Wang expressed concerns about the final regulations related to the U.S. regulation of semiconductor exports to China, U.S. sanctions and repression against Chinese companies, restrictions on two-way investment, and Article 301 tariffs on China.
The two sides also discussed specific issues of interest to companies from both countries.
In addition, the two sides will hold the first meeting of the two countries’ commerce working group (vice-ministerial level) in the first quarter of next year, hold provincial-level economic and trade cooperation and investment promotion events, jointly promote projects connecting companies from both countries, expand the ‘project office’, and promote inter-governmental cooperation. An agreement was reached on issues such as establishing standards and an evaluation dialogue system.
In addition, experts from both countries agreed to discuss issues related to maintaining commercial confidentiality and information protection in the administrative permit process in January next year.
Source: Donga
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